Suzanne Mutch joins Kalmiopsis staff

Susan Mutch takes over dean of students desk at Kalmiopsis. The Pilot/Lorna Rodriguez

Kalmiopsis Elementary School’s new dean of students is a familiar face to many. After a year sabbatical, Suzanne Mutch has returned to the Brookings-Harbor School District.

“I’m very excited to be back,” Mutch said. “Sometimes things are meant to be, and I think this is meant to be.”

In the mornings, Mutch will work at Kalmiopsis, and in the afternoons she will head over to Azalea Middle School to serve as the school’s intervention counselor.

Before being laid off for the 2011-2012 school year due to budget cuts, Mutch was the vice principal at Azalea Middle School.

She also served as the vice principal at Brookings-Harbor High School and Kalmiopsis, principal of Pacific Bridges High School and as a school counselor during her 11 years in Brookings-Harbor.

Mutch has a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, and degrees in Special Education and Administration.

It was a matter of calling back an employee, Superintendent Brian Hodge said.

“She’s been with the district for quite some time and the kids like her,” he said.

As the dean, Mutch will discipline students, facilitate students’ positive choices, monitor the hallways, cafeteria and playground; and attend special education and student assistance meetings, she said.

“I will deal with students one-on-one in discipline and academic issues,” she said.“I really enjoy making positive differences in children’s lives.

“Every day is different. You never know what to expect from the day when you’re working with children.”

Before moving to the area, she worked in special education and counseling in Washington state for seven years.

“I like to watch the emotional and academic growth in children,” Mutch said. “To help them realize their full potential. To help them develop a can-do attitude. It’s just kinda been my passion.

“I really, really like what I do. I’m pleased to be back. I missed the students and staff, the associations with the staff and working with the children.”